Fibre-conscious hosts
You want to check that the bread really is wholemeal, rather than relying on a dark colour or visible seeds. Compare the fibre per 100 g too.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts looking for bread to share
You want a shape that’s easy to serve with dips or toppings. Wholemeal baguettes and part-baked baguettes need different planning: the latter still need to go in the oven.
Households looking to save leftover bread
You expect to have bread left over after your get-together and want to decide in advance which portions to use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing wholemeal bread in portions.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to serve the bread straight away, bake it first or cut it into bite-sized pieces yourself. Then compare the ingredients and pack size of products that suit your serving plans.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and ingredients; compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | I don’t just want bread that looks wholemeal; I also want to see what’s in it. For around 36% of consumers, verifiably wholemeal bread with a comparable fibre content is a priority. |
| When you’ll serve it | Check whether it needs baking and whether its shape and contents work with dips or topped bites. | When my guests arrive, I want to know whether the bread can go straight on the table or still needs to go in the oven. Ease of serving is the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the current allergen information and, if needed, compare the salt per 100 g and check whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. | I want to know which grains and other allergens the bread contains before serving it. For around 21% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the deciding factor. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the number of items or the weight, and check the storage and freezing instructions. | For a single get-together, I don’t want to open more bread than I can use or store. Around 14% of consumers prioritise choosing the right quantity and storing portions. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds or a multigrain name don’t, on their own, mean that the bread is made from the whole grain.
Check the product description and ingredients, and use the fibre per 100 g to compare products.
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Assuming allergens based on the type of bread
Ingredients vary from product to product. Albert Heijn’s wholemeal baguette lists several gluten-containing grains and may contain sesame and walnut.
Check the current ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible traces on every pack. A label such as vegan doesn’t mean the bread is allergen-free.
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Opening a large pack for a small get-together
A whole loaf, a baguette and a pack of two baguettes don’t provide the same number of portions.
Choose a pack that suits what you want to serve, and freeze any portions you plan to use later in good time.
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Assuming bakers’ salt is iodised
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread contributes to iodine intake in the Netherlands because bakers’ salt is iodised. That doesn’t tell you which type of salt is in the bread you choose.
Check the ingredients list for the specific product, or ask for ingredient information when buying unpackaged bread.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Liefde & Passie Wholemeal Baguette is a wholemeal baguette for anyone looking for bread that’s easy to share.
- The product information lists 7,0 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product contains gluten-containing grains and may contain sesame and walnut. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo Grof Volkoren shows how a wholemeal loaf can be used as the base for homemade party bites.
- The product page lists 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo states on the product page that this particular loaf is no longer part of its online range; check the current selection before buying.
PLUS
PLUS offers both Korenlanders wholemeal baguette and a whole coarse wholemeal loaf: two shapes suited to different serving plans.
- PLUS lists 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g for the baguette; the whole loaf comes with freezing advice.
- Check the current allergen information and storage instructions for the product you choose.
ALDI
ALDI offers a whole extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf that you can slice yourself for party bites.
- ALDI describes this product as wholemeal bread.
- Check fibre or salt claims against the nutritional information on the pack you choose, rather than treating them as a comparison with every other wholemeal loaf.
Lidl
Lidl offers a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread, a pack size to consider if you’d rather not open a whole loaf.
- A half loaf may be a better fit for a get-together where you don’t want to cut into a whole loaf.
- The product page says this product is only available in store; check the current packaging and nutritional information there.
Dirk
Dirk offers wholemeal part-baked baguettes alongside a whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf for anyone who wants to cut their own bites.
- The 1 de Beste wholemeal part-baked baguettes are listed as a pack of two, weighing 300 g in total.
- Allow time to bake the baguettes, and check the current ingredients and allergen information for both products.
Bread options on Joybuy
These products offer different options for a get-together: flatbread to share, rye bread for small topped bites and a round loaf that needs to be baked. Check the ingredients and serving instructions on each pack before choosing.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 P
Flatbread to share with dips. Before serving, check the current allergen information, including warnings about possible traces of soya and milk.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
Rye bread to serve in small pieces with toppings. The pack contains 500 g; if you need to avoid wheat or rye, check the current allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A 550 g round loaf to slice into party bites once baked. Allow time for thawing, baking and cooling, and follow the baking instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread for a get-together is wholemeal?
Check the product name or legal description, then read the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. A dark colour, seeds or the term multigrain aren’t proof on their own that the bread is wholemeal.
Can I serve wholemeal baguette to someone with coeliac disease?
Don’t assume that wholemeal baguette is suitable: the baguettes mentioned from Albert Heijn and PLUS contain gluten-containing grains. Always check the current allergen information for the bread you plan to serve, especially for the guest in question.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised bakers’ salt?
You can’t tell from the wholemeal label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that iodised bakers’ salt is why bread contributes to iodine intake in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients list for the bread you choose, or ask about the ingredients if it’s unpackaged.
How should I store wholemeal bread left over after a get-together?
It’s best to freeze any portions you plan to use later in good time. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Follow the instructions on the packaging too.
When are wholemeal part-baked baguettes a good choice for a get-together?
They’re a good choice if you want to serve warm bread and have the time and oven space to bake it before your guests arrive. Check the cooking instructions, pack contents and allergen information on the product you buy.